Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum accuses central government of non-action in Manipur's ethnic conflict

Digital Desk: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF)  has charged the Home Ministry with neglecting to protect tribal people and has voiced grave concerns about the worsening ethnic strife in Manipur. 

At first, in an attempt to patch things up, the ITLF consented to delay the interment of martyrs who died in battle at the Home Ministry's request. But four months later, their dead are still in mortuaries, and none of their demands have been fulfilled.

Significant dissatisfaction was revealed during a recent Delhi meeting between ITLF leaders and Home Minister Amit Shah. The Home Minister only pledged that state forces would work "in conjunction" with central forces, despite the ITLF's demands that Meitei state soldiers be removed from all hill districts. Tensions have escalated as a result of recent occurrences suggesting that this commitment has not been kept.

Notably, attacks against Kuki-Zo people in Moreh town and other villages in Tengnoupal district are justified by the death of a Meitei police officer, despite the government's silence on the killing of a tribal police officer by a Meitei sniper. 

ITLF noted that reports indicate Meitei commandos are attacking citizens, setting houses on fire, and robbing people of their belongings. These reports raise concerns about the involvement of central troops in these incidents.

The ITLF has demanded the deployment of impartial central forces to safeguard the tribal populace and questioned why Meitei forces are permitted to operate within tribal settlements.

In the meantime, violent Meitei organisations such as Arambai Tenggol openly brandish sophisticated weaponry seized from state armouries and incite violence against Kuki-Zo tribals, with no apparent action from security forces or investigating agencies such as the CBI and NIA.

The ITLF expressed its dissatisfaction with the central government and urged them to prioritise humanitarian problems before electoral considerations. 

Furthermore, the ITLF has advocated for the protection of tribal people's rights and lives, emphasising the urgent necessity for a separate administration to secure the safety of those facing annihilation in this ongoing struggle.